INTERVIEW WITH AGATHA CHRISTIE - THE FIRST LADY OF CRIME

UNDER LACY HAT
I was born once again, I would like

to be a woman - always!

Do you read novels of Agatha Christie? That is a silly question! Who today doesn't - publicly or secretly - read detective stories? Sure tastes differ, but there are only few people who can resist the charm of novels of today 76-years old Englishwoman and hers characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. I also like to read them, so the news about her arrival in Slovenia cheered me up, but even more the decision of redaction: Go to Bohinj and don't come back without an interview with Agatha!
I had to choose tactics. But wait a minute, why is this womens magazine? Lets use womens weapon - charm! The plan is made to use offensive of charm.
At first famous people are victimsя of offensive: she doesn't like journalists because they wait for her behind the trees when she goes for a walk, they accede to her chair in the evening, in the morning they try to break into her room, they are knocking on her door OK! Why don't we try different? Why don't we regard that this is an old person, eagerly of break, who instead of lovely smiles - which are shared to every other

her, and the cameras? So let's be as first -

kind!

I landed in front of our hotel Jezero - Bellevue and immediately informed myself about the situation on the front. Bad: they are annoying her all the time and she didn't leave the address to anyone in England, but there are letters coming every day, but in fact she is on a trip in Bled. Of course, she will return tired I also wouldn't let them to annoy me
When I came to hotel Bellevue married couple Mallowan appeared: Agatha Christie with her husband. They were in a good will and they were walking up the stairs.
What to do? Let's stay devoted to offensive of charm: there is no need to grab the first chance and ruin everything! The most important thing is that she is here in hotel and there is a reserved room waiting for me. Even more, the room is on the same floor, told me sympathetic Alenka from reception. Together we unwound the flowers. Alenka is enthusiastic: Agatha will surely like them. She likes flowers (we had good nose!).
Alenka hadnt return for a long time - good or bad sign? The door opened suddenly and Alenka shouted from threshold:

This evening? Now? Quarter to nine?"
"Yes, yes, enjoys Alenka

with me."
It has just been seven o'clock so I still have one hour and 45 minutes. Let's look at the situation: I am dirty and tired from travelling, I didn't eat my breakfast, prepared questions in English are shaking in my hands.
First: washing. There is a pleasant surprise waiting for me - I took everything except a shampoo. I wash myself with the toothpaste. Great - I will come on conversation like a travelling advertisement for Kolodont
It could have been even worse - I comfort myself. - Think only: Agatha is in the room opposite of mine, Agatha. Ready for an interview
I am repeating questions once again. I am biting chocolate.
Still two minutes to quarter to nine. I am ready, I have a tape-recorder in my hand.
I am knocking on door. Nothing. One more time. They aren't here. They wouldn't just calmly. Maybe they are, simply, on dinner?
 

a certain period for you, for example, ancient Egypt or

Mesopotamia or do other periods attract you as well?"

"We are interested in all periods, that is also a difficulty! Today it is specially in science needed strict specialization in one thing, but we are interested in so many things!"
"Still, you have made a good guess - continues Prof. Mallowan. We had been dugging for years on Bliski island. You know, my wife is always present as an official photographer, and so she has filmed one of the most beautiful collections of statues of the elephant bones, which we had found there."
"Are you also interested in locations in Yugoslavia?"
"O, we are interested in all. We take an opportunity to look at all remains of history. You know, archaeology means for us also to enjoy in art - you always find something beautiful what you like. Thats why we like things from all periods."

"We visited a lot of remains from history in surroundings. Also today, in Bled, we enjoyed in pictures of the church on island"
"Specially the statues are beautiful" - adds Agatha Christie.
"Probably you have heard about site in Lepenski Vir"
"Yes, I have informed Sunday Times immediately, so they will send somebody"
"Will you go there too?"
"Unfortunately, we wont" - she answers.
"It is very far and we are afraid of greater heat. Age"

been asking the next question, I turned on my tape-recorder:

"Once you have said that is your work in detective stories divided in two parts: fun, when you are thinking up the plot and boring when all of that has to be put on paper."
"Yes, thats right. It is much more fun just to think about what is needed to be written as to write it!"
"Do you also in reality think as Miss Marple?"
In the rustle of the restaurant she didnt hear well my question but she smiled and said:
"Oh, I think that people like differences, like Miss Marple is. Why did I choose her? Who knows?At that time I first noticed that she washes her hands from her characters - they do what they like to do."
When I repeated my question she said:

who knows, why does she think like that?"

"Would you mind

telling us how the ideas are born and how do they develop into novel?"
"So, how the ideas come?" - she slowly repeated the question, sitting in the chair and her fingers of right hand, as if they are searching something on the chair, wrinkle cover and move away a cup of tea.
 
"They come suddenly, I even dont know how. Whenever: when I am listening to opera, walking on the street they come from everywhere! Also, when a smart idea falls into your head, which you like, you have to build a believable story from it. Suddenly faces grow as well, one by one. And then comes this unpleasant day, when you have to sit down and everything what had beautifully grown put on paper. Yes, the first part is much more fun!"

"Some writers of detective stories buy ideas. What about you?"
"No. I like ideas which fall into my head, thats more fun!"
"You cant imagine - adds her husband - how much letters we get:  Here, an excellent idea for a novel We answer: Then write it yourself!”

Then write it yourself!."

Then write it yourself!."

Then write it yourself!."